Tow Rig Questions and Opinion

[IDBoating]

I call BS on your mileage #'s! Diesel fuel mileage #'s are the most inflated thing EVER! If they really got over 20 mpg towing or 25 mpg in mixed driving, they would save the auto industry and the big 3 wouldn't even make a gas engine anymore. I have a diesel as do ALL of my friends and we have all of the trucks (Chevy/Ford/Dodge and 7.3's, 6.0's, 6.7L Cummins and my LMM Duramax) and not one of them gets more than 20 mpg on the highway no matter how you drive it.

I can't speak to your experiences, but I hand-calculate my mileage about once a month and have done so since the very first day I purchased the truck new on 01 January 2006. Topped-off tank to topped-off tank. Simple division yields the answer. This is a good way to keep track of the engine's behavior and performance, sort of a "canary in the coal mine".

Last time I did it the answer was 24.7 miles per gallon. Keep in mind that's winter diesel and colder temperatures, both of which reduce efficiency.

In between hand calculated values, my overhead console gives me a running average too. Since my last firmware update a couple of years ago, it's been within a couple tenths of my hand calculations. Still, I do the hand calcs every four weeks or so because they cannot be fooled.

BTW, I have a 5.9L Cummins. One of the reasons I bought when I did was it was the last production year with the tried and proven 5.9L. The 2007 model year was when they switched to the more elaborate and less efficient emission systems that require ultra low sulfur fuel (mine can use the old stuff, though it's not available anywhere anymore). They also went with the larger displacement engine, in part to make up for the power losses of the new emission system.

If you are getting substantially poorer numbers, I'd have your engine checked. Or perhaps buy a different engine. Mine is not for sale! {grin}

[chpthril]

A diesel's fuel range over a gas'r is irrelevant when you're paying $.45 more p/gallon over gas.

[IDBoating]

A diesel's fuel range over a gas'r is irrelevant when you're paying $.45 more p/gallon over gas.

Diesel is more expensive in the winter. Gasoline is more expensive in the summer. I figure it all evens out, although I'm grateful that I do the vast majority of my driving in the summer when diesel is cheaper!

BTW, strictly speaking "range" involves tank capacity. In my case, my range is 800+ miles with a full tank (34 gallons). I just finished a round-trip to Fernie BC, just over 500 miles, and am still driving on the same tankful with about 1/3rd of a tank left.

[91Terminator]

I can't speak to your experiences, but I hand-calculate my mileage about once a month and have done so since the very first day I purchased the truck new on 01 January 2006. Topped-off tank to topped-off tank. Simple division yields the answer. This is a good way to keep track of the engine's behavior and performance, sort of a "canary in the coal mine".

Last time I did it the answer was 24.7 miles per gallon. Keep in mind that's winter diesel and colder temperatures, both of which reduce efficiency.

In between hand calculated values, my overhead console gives me a running average too. Since my last firmware update a couple of years ago, it's been within a couple tenths of my hand calculations. Still, I do the hand calcs every four weeks or so because they cannot be fooled.

BTW, I have a 5.9L Cummins. One of the reasons I bought when I did was it was the last production year with the tried and proven 5.9L. The 2007 model year was when they switched to the more elaborate and less efficient emission systems that require ultra low sulfur fuel (mine can use the old stuff, though it's not available anywhere anymore). They also went with the larger displacement engine, in part to make up for the power losses of the new emission system.

If you are getting substantially poorer numbers, I'd have your engine checked. Or perhaps buy a different engine. Mine is not for sale! {grin}

Hey if he puts it in drive and never touches the gas peddle I bet he could get 25+ MPG and he will eventually get where he is going. Just gotta have time.

[Timmy!]

If you are getting substantially poorer numbers, I'd have your engine checked. Or perhaps buy a different engine. Mine is not for sale! {grin}

Your truck should be put in a museum because it is truly one of a kind! I'm being serious! Like I said, if everyone or even 20% of diesel truck owners got your mileage, there wouldn't be a market for gas trucks and the CAFE standards wouldn't even be of concern to the mfr's.
{grin}

[Timmy!]

One more thing...Dodge would be the #1 selling diesel if those #'s were real and they aren't even close to being #1 nor have they ever been.

[IDBoating]

Like I said, if everyone or even 20% of diesel truck owners got your mileage, there wouldn't be a market for gas trucks and the CAFE standards wouldn't even be of concern to the mfr's.

I'm continually baffled why we don't see more diesel engines in the USA. When my in-laws traveled to Europe, they said most of the rental car fleet was diesels including the passenger sedans. VW has put diesels in little cars before. Scientific American ran an article a few years ago showing that diesel-electric hybrids are actually more efficient than pure electrics when all economic and environmental impacts are included. So I share your confusion that they aren't more prevalent here.

Your truck should be put in a museum because it is truly one of a kind!

You sure seem to have a vested interest in playing down diesel mileage numbers. Think about it. What possible reason do I have to inflate my data? I have nothing to sell you. I don't even know you.

This is what I get for mileage. I'm deadly serious. All I can do is report the data. I can't make you believe it, and it doesn't affect me whether you do or don't.

[IDBoating]

Hey if he puts it in drive and never touches the gas peddle I bet he could get 25+ MPG and he will eventually get where he is going. Just gotta have time.

Yeah, well, you saw me driving my rental car. Did it appear I was idling all the time? {grin} You know me better than that.

[Timmy!]

You sure seem to have a vested interest in playing down diesel mileage numbers.

Because I have been looking at mileage #'s on the internet and truck magazines for years. I just can't believe that the 6.7L would get 10 mpg less than your truck...just crazy!

[Wickedcummins]

A good running 5.9 common rail dodge should get 25.5ish towing. That is when its tunned up correctly. Myt uncles truck witch I have setup for towing gets 25.5 towing a 40ft 5th wheel. All about the combo and tune =)

**** My rig makes 1,000hp and I get 14.4 towing On a 800hp program

[IDBoating]

Because I have been looking at mileage #'s on the internet and truck magazines for years. I just can't believe that the 6.7L would get 10 mpg less than your truck...just crazy!

Agreed, that chart does seem wildly different from my experience. I don't have an explanation. But now I'm even more delighted that I bought my truck when I did... I had a feeling I didn't want all that extra emissions garbage.

[IDBoating]

A good running 5.9 common rail dodge should get 25.5ish towing. That is when its tunned up correctly. Myt uncles truck witch I have setup for towing gets 25.5 towing a 40ft 5th wheel.

FWIW, mine is bone stock with the latest factory firmware upgrades and 3.73 differentials.

[Wickedcummins]

The factory programs dont matter the fueling is all the same on each flash! The only reason we flash trucks if for an error in the algarythm that sets rationaly faults!

Stock 5.9 I mean completely stock will get about 20.5 TOWING!

[chpthril]

A good running 5.9 common rail dodge should get 25.5ish towing. That is when its tunned up correctly. Myt uncles truck witch I have setup for towing gets 25.5 towing a 40ft 5th wheel. All about the combo and tune =)

**** My rig makes 1,000hp and I get 14.4 towing On a 800hp program

Thats like saying an X-Star has the absolute best wake of any boat out there.........after its loaded down with 3K in ballast.

I think the only way to conduct this discussion is to keep it centered around stock vehicles and use published data. Once someone adds wheels, lifts, gears, and other accessories that can effect aerodynamics, it all gets thrown out the window. Heck, even geography and driving habits can greatly alter ones actual results as compared to the controlled results down during a test.

[IDBoating]

Stock 5.9 I mean completely stock will get about 20.5 TOWING!

That feels about right. My 25-ish numbers are for mixed driving with no trailer. With a boat and trailer behind me, it drops a few MPG. I've never hand calculated it since I tow my boat only twice per year (Spring and Fall) and my lake property is only 30 miles away. Based on these numbers that's only about 1.5 gallons of fuel twice per year, not enough to get accurate data.